Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb.: A Powerhouse for Skin Brightening and Wellness

Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb., also known as Ma-haad or Monkey Jack, is a traditional Southeast Asian medicinal plant highly prized for its heartwood, which is rich in oxyresveratrol. This bioactive compound offers potent antioxidant, anti-pigmentation, and anti-inflammatory effects, making Ma-haad an increasingly valuable ingredient in cosmetics, supplements, and wellness products.

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Key Active Compound: Oxyresveratrol

• The heartwood of A. lakoocha contains a high amount of oxyresveratrol, a polyphenolic stilbene known for very strong antioxidant activity and inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin synthesis.
• Pharmacognostic studies of this wood show consistent presence of oxyresveratrol across geographic sources, supporting quality and standardization.

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Benefits in the Cosmetic Industry

1. Skin Brightening & Pigmentation Control
   • Research demonstrates that A. lakoocha heartwood extract strongly inhibits tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanin production.
   • Clinical (in vivo) trials in humans showed that using a topical solution of the extract reduced melanin in the skin over time.
2. Anti-Aging & Antioxidant Protection
   • In vitro studies show that both the extract and pure oxyresveratrol protect human fibroblasts from oxidative damage (e.g., caused by hydrogen peroxide or UV-A), and these protect cells as well or better than known antioxidants.
3. Photoprotective & Anti-Inflammatory Effects
   • More recent research demonstrated that oxyresveratrol from A. lakoocha suppresses inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation, by modulating signaling pathways like p38 MAPK and AP-1.

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Benefits in Supplements & Wellness

1. Powerful Antioxidant Activity
   • Oxyresveratrol is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, supporting cellular health and longevity.
2. Neuroprotection
   • In cell-based studies, oxyresveratrol and A. lakoocha extract protected neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) from oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation.
3. Anti-Inflammatory & Detox
   • By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, Ma-haad may support broader detoxifying effects and immune resilience.

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Quality & Extraction Insights

• A recent development in “green” extraction has produced ready-to-use oxyresveratrol-enriched extracts using deep eutectic solvents (DES). These extracts showed very high antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity, in one case, 252× more anti-tyrosinase activity than kojic acid.
• Standardization of A. lakoocha heartwood is well studied: one paper reported that among different sources, the content of oxyresveratrol can be quantified reliably, which is important for manufacturing consistent, high-quality ingredients.

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Why Artocarpus lakoocha is Trending in Modern Formulations

• Natural Alternative to Synthetic Brighteners: Oxyresveratrol offers effective skin-lightening without some of the risks associated with synthetic agents.
• Multi-Functional Ingredient: Acts both as an antioxidant and a tyrosinase inhibitor, useful in anti-aging, skin-brightening, and wellness products.
• Sustainable & Standardizable: Good research on extraction, quality control, and standardization supports safe and reproducible use.
• Consumer Appeal: Growing demand for “heritage” botanicals with traditional history and modern scientific validation.

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Conclusion

Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. (Ma-haad) is a highly valuable botanical for both the cosmetic and supplement industries thanks to its rich content of oxyresveratrol, a compound with strong antioxidant, anti-melanin, and anti-inflammatory properties. Backed by robust research, this herb can be a cornerstone for natural skin-brightening products, anti-aging formulas, and wellness supplements.

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References

1. Panichakul T. et al. Additive effect of a combination of Artocarpus lakoocha and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts on tyrosinase inhibition in melanoma B16 cells. Pharmaceuticals, 2020. MDPI+2PubMed+2
2. Tengamnuay P., Prugsakij W., Wongkajornsilp A. In vitro evaluation of anti-aging activities of Artocarpus lakoocha heartwood extract. Afr J Trad Complement Altern Med. journals.athmsi.org
3. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Neuroprotective effect of Artocarpus lakoocha extract and oxyresveratrol against H2O2-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. IJP Pharmaceutics
4. PubMed. Suppression of the inflammatory response by oxyresveratrol from the root bark of Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb against UVB-induced keratinocytes. PubMed
5. MDPI. Development of a ready-to-use oxyresveratrol-enriched extract from Artocarpus lakoocha using deep eutectic solvents. Cosmetics, 2024. MDPI
6. Journal of Health Research. Pharmacognostic study of Artocarpus lakoocha heartwood.

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